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Latest news and features from theguardian.com, the world's leading liberal voiceen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015Sun, 02 Aug 2015 20:48:54 GMT2015-08-02T20:48:54Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015The Guardianhttp://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttp://www.theguardian.com
Corbyn to unveil 'Vision 2020' to end austerity with public investment planhttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/aug/02/corbyn-vision-2020-end-austerity-public-investment-plan
<p>Frontrunner in Labour leadership contest will flesh out his policy plans this week as Neil Kinnock and Peter Mandelson line up together to warn of Corbyn victory</p><p>Jeremy Corbyn will brush aside warnings that he risks a return to the divisions of the 1980s when he outlines plans to end “the years of political and economic austerity” to help create a high-skilled workforce in Britain.</p><p>As Neil Kinnock and Peter Mandelson found rare common ground over the weekend to warn of the dangers posed by a Corbyn victory, the leftwinger made it clear that he would focus on the future as he pledged a return to the “sound economics of public investment”.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/aug/02/kezia-dugdale-corbyn-win-leave-labour-carping-sidelines-years">Kezia Dugdale: Corbyn win could leave Labour 'carping on sidelines'</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/aug/02/corbyn-vision-2020-end-austerity-public-investment-plan">Continue reading...</a>Labour party leadershipJeremy CorbynLabourNeil KinnockPeter MandelsonLiz KendallAndy BurnhamPoliticsUK newsLegal aidUK criminal justiceLawYvette CooperSun, 02 Aug 2015 19:26:35 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/aug/02/corbyn-vision-2020-end-austerity-public-investment-planPhotograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/GettyJeremy Corbyn at a Labour leadership hustings event in Warrington. He is pledging a return to the ‘sound economics of public investment’ to end what he has called ‘variations of austerity’ from the main parties.Nicholas Watt Chief political correspondent2015-08-02T19:26:35ZIran uses fabricated WikiLeaks cable to smear UN rights rapporteurhttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/02/iran-fabricated-wikileaks-cable-smear-un-rights-rapporteur
<p>State-run agencies and semi-official websites run articles in effort to discredit Ahmed Shaheed</p><p>Iran has launched a sophisticated smear campaign against <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/05/iran-rapporteur-human-rights">the UN special rapporteur</a> investigating its human rights violations by widely spreading a fabricated WikiLeaks cable purporting to show he received bribes from Saudi Arabia.</p><p>In a concerted effort aimed at discrediting Ahmed Shaheed in the eyes of the general public, Iranian state-run agencies and semi-official websites simultaneously carried articles claiming that the Saudi embassy in Kuwait had paid the UN envoy $1m to take an anti-Iran position. It dominated many Iranian front pages on Tuesday and an Iranian official later used the false information to question Shaheed’s credibility.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/16/un-rapporteur-human-rights-situation-in-iran-worsening">Iran's human rights situation worsening, says UN special rapporteur</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/02/after-iran-nuclear-deal-its-everyone-elses-turn">After Iran nuclear deal, it’s everyone else’s turn | Letters from Roan Ruddock and Denis Macshane</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/02/iran-fabricated-wikileaks-cable-smear-un-rights-rapporteur">Continue reading...</a>IranWorld newsMiddle East and North AfricaHuman rightsLawMediaWikiLeaksSun, 02 Aug 2015 16:51:53 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/02/iran-fabricated-wikileaks-cable-smear-un-rights-rapporteurPhotograph: University of EssexFormer Maldives foreign minister, Ahmed Shaheed, who is the UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran.Photograph: University of EssexFormer Maldives foreign minister, Ahmed Shaheed, who is the UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran.Saeed Kamali Dehghan Iran correspondent2015-08-02T16:51:53ZAnti-torture reforms opposed within psychology group after damning reporthttp://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/aug/02/psychological-association-anti-torture-reforms
<p>Tempers rise within American Psychological Association, which independent review recently found was complicit in brutal military and CIA interrogation</p><p>Opposition is building to intended <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/15/psychologists-remain-guantanamo-bay-apa-torture">anti-torture reforms</a> within the largest professional organization of psychologists in the US, which faces a crossroads over what a recent report described as its past support for <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/jul/10/us-torture-doctors-psychologists-apa-prosecution">brutal military and CIA interrogations</a>.<br /></p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/jul/10/us-torture-doctors-psychologists-apa-prosecution">US torture doctors could face charges after report alleges post-9/11 'collusion'</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/jul/13/psychologist-torture-doctors-collusion-jean-maria-arrigo">'A national hero': psychologist who warned of torture collusion gets her due</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/15/psychologists-remain-guantanamo-bay-apa-torture">Guant&aacute;namo Bay psychologists to remain despite APA torture fallout</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/aug/02/psychological-association-anti-torture-reforms">Continue reading...</a>Guantánamo BayUS newsUS militaryWorld newsCIATortureLawSun, 02 Aug 2015 11:00:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/aug/02/psychological-association-anti-torture-reformsPhotograph: Todd Sumlin/Zuma Press/CorbisGuards keep watch in a cell block at the Camp Delta detention facility at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.Spencer Ackerman in New York2015-08-02T11:00:03ZWe hospice CEOs shouldn't stay silent – the sector must accept assisted dyinghttp://www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2015/aug/02/hospice-ceos-sector-accept-assisted-dying
<p>I’m worried that if I speak out publicly about the change in the law we so badly need, it will alienate trustees, staff and donors<br></p><p>I am a chief executive of a hospice and I believe that those with a terminal illness should be allowed to die when, or if, they choose to. I support new legislation concerning assisted dying – not instead of good hospice and palliative care, but as well as.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2015/jan/02/confessions-of-a-charity-professional-we-want-your-blogs">Confessions of a charity professional – we want your blogs</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2015/may/03/charity-chief-executive-no-job-security">I'm a charity chief executive with no job security</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2015/aug/02/hospice-ceos-sector-accept-assisted-dying">Continue reading...</a>Voluntary Sector NetworkVoluntary sector network blogSocial Care NetworkCharitiesSocietyVoluntary sectorAssisted dyingLawWork practicesWork practicesSun, 02 Aug 2015 07:00:10 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2015/aug/02/hospice-ceos-sector-accept-assisted-dyingPhotograph: Andrew Winning/ReutersSupporters of a bill legalising assisted dying hold placards outside parliament in Westminster, central London.Anonymous2015-08-02T07:00:10ZLawyers Leigh Day: troublemakers who are a thorn in the side of multinationalshttp://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/aug/02/leigh-day-troublemaker-fight-dispossessed-lawyers
International law firm led by self-confessedly ‘bolshie’ Martyn Day has carved out a reputation as the scourge of the corporations<p>Self-confessed “bolshie bastard” Martyn Day and his team of hotshot young lawyers at Leigh Day can congratulate themselves on having won around &pound;150m for <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/jan/21/global-injustices-getting-access-to-the-law-is-still-impossible-for-most">tens of thousands of the poorest people</a> on earth from some of the world’s richest companies.</p><p>In the past decade, they have challenged Shell, Trafigura, BP, Xstrata, Anglo American and Unilever, as well as the British and Japanese governments. In that time they have carved out a reputation for being the scourge of the corporates and a fierce upholder of human rights.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/aug/01/vedanta-zambia-copper-mining-toxic-leaks">Zambian villagers take mining giant Vedanta to court in UK over toxic leaks</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/aug/02/leigh-day-troublemaker-fight-dispossessed-lawyers">Continue reading...</a>Global developmentLawWorld newsSat, 01 Aug 2015 23:05:05 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/aug/02/leigh-day-troublemaker-fight-dispossessed-lawyersPhotograph: /John VidalMartyn Day in Chingola, Zambia. Photograph: John VidalPhotograph: /John VidalMartyn Day in Chingola, Zambia. Photograph: John VidalJohn Vidal2015-08-01T23:05:05ZWhat happens to someone’s finances if they go missing?http://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/aug/01/what-happens-finances-missing-legistaltion-families
Legislation to help the families of those left behind would make a huge difference at a time of shock and grief<p>What happens when someone goes missing? At the moment, when it comes to their financial affairs, the answer is – nothing. With no legal authority to act on their behalf, families can find that their worries are worsened considerably by being unable to deal with their missing family member’s banking, mortgage, insurance or benefits in their absence. At worst, the missing person’s finances can be irreparably damaged and homes may even be lost.</p><p>Vicki Derrick’s husband Vinny disappeared in 2003. “I felt like I was the only person in the world this had happened to, and that was compounded by the lack of advice I got when trying to deal with Vinny’s affairs,” Vicki says. The problems took a while to develop: Vinny worked at Manchester airport, and his employers paid his wages for a couple of months after he went missing. “I was also fortunate that most of our bills were in joint names, so to begin with I could cope with a lot of it myself,” Vicki says.</p><p>The emotional stress is so immense it is hard to deal with money-related issues</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/aug/01/what-happens-finances-missing-legistaltion-families">Continue reading...</a>Life insuranceMortgagesConsumer affairsConsumer rightsMoneyLawDeath and dyingLife and styleSat, 01 Aug 2015 05:59:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/aug/01/what-happens-finances-missing-legistaltion-familiesPhotograph: Christopher Thomond for the GuardianPeter Lawrence: ‘I was amazed after Claudia disappeared that there was nothing in place; that a civilised country had nothing to support people in this position.’Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the GuardianPeter Lawrence: ‘I was amazed after Claudia disappeared that there was nothing in place; that a civilised country had nothing to support people in this position.’Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the GuardianVicki Derrick struggled for eight years before her husband Vinny’s remains were found. Photograph: Christopher Thomond for The GuardianPhotograph: Christopher Thomond for the GuardianVicki Derrick struggled for eight years before her husband Vinny’s remains were found. Photograph: Christopher Thomond for The GuardianEleanor Tucker2015-08-01T05:59:03ZCecil the lion spurs US lawmakers to draft bills to discourage trophy huntinghttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/31/cecil-the-lion-legislation-trophy-hunting-bob-menendez
<p>New Jersey senator proposes legislation to extend import and export protections for endangered species amid global outrage over Minnesota dentist killing lion</p><p>American lawmakers say they are crafting legislation to curb trophy hunting in the wake of the killing of one of Zimbabwe’s most famous lions by a Minnesota dentist this month.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/31/zimbabwe-extradition-dentist-killed-cecil-the-lion">Zimbabwe calls for extradition of dentist who killed Cecil the lion</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/31/cecil-the-lion-legislation-trophy-hunting-bob-menendez">Continue reading...</a>Cecil the lionWildlifeNew JerseyUS newsLawEndangered speciesAnimalsUS politicsFri, 31 Jul 2015 21:28:16 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/31/cecil-the-lion-legislation-trophy-hunting-bob-menendezPhotograph: Ron Sachs/CorbisNew Jersey senator Bob Menendez: ‘When we have enough concern about the future of a species ... we should not be killing it for sport.’Mahita Gajanan in New York2015-07-31T21:28:16ZGermany suspends Nazi war crimes investigation of Minnesota manhttp://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/31/germany-shelves-nazi-war-crimes-minnesota-michael-karkoc
<ul><li>Michael Karkoc exposed as leader of SS affiliate and lying to US immigration</li><li>96-year-old’s case shelved due to undisclosed health issues, says prosecutor</li></ul><p>German prosecutors have shelved their Nazi war crimes investigation of a retired Minnesota carpenter whom the Associated Press exposed as a former commander in an SS-led unit, saying Friday that the 96-year-old is not fit for trial.</p><p>Munich prosecutor Peter Preuss told the AP that Michael Karkoc’s attorney had refused to allow him to be examined by a medical expert from Germany, and that his office’s decision was based on “comprehensive medical documentation” from doctors at the geriatric hospital in the US where he is being treated.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/14/nazi-ss-commander-living-minnesota">Suspected commander of Nazi SS-led unit found living in Minnesota</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/16/how-nazi-guard-oskar-groning-escaped-justice-in-1947-for-crimes-at-auschwitz">How Nazi guard Oskar Gr&ouml;ning escaped justice in 1947 for crimes at Auschwitz</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/31/germany-shelves-nazi-war-crimes-minnesota-michael-karkoc">Continue reading...</a>MinnesotaGermanyNazismWar crimesUS newsWorld newsEuropeSecond world warLawFri, 31 Jul 2015 17:04:28 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/31/germany-shelves-nazi-war-crimes-minnesota-michael-karkocPhotograph: Chris Polydoroff/APMichael Karkoc in a file photo taken in May 1990.Associted Press in Berlin2015-07-31T17:04:28ZDisinheritance and the law: why you can’t leave your money to whoever you pleasehttp://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/jul/31/disinheritance-and-the-law
When Melita Jackson decided to disinherit her daughter Heather, she knew what she was doing, and her decision was clear. Now a court has ruled that Heather still has a right to a share of her estate. As Britain experiences a surge in will disputes, is our sense of what we owe our children changing?<p>One night in February 1978, a 17-year-old girl called Heather Jackson secretly crept out of the house. Her mother, Melita Jackson, reported her missing, and Heather was eventually found living with her boyfriend, Nicholas Ilott, and his family. Melita disapproved of Nicholas, believing he wasn’t good enough for her daughter, but Heather refused to come back and there was nothing her mother could do to make her. So she cut her off.</p><p>Usually you might expect a woman in&nbsp;Melita’s shoes to forgive her only daughter before too long, rather than lose touch altogether, and perhaps that is what Heather expected her mother to&nbsp;do. Usually you might expect the passions of a 17-year-old to waver just as quickly, and perhaps Melita expected that. But, in fact, neither woman weakened. For five years they didn’t speak. Nicholas and Heather got married&nbsp;without telling her mother, and&nbsp;in 1983 gave birth to her first grandchild, which became the occasion&nbsp;for their first reconciliation.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jul/28/daughter-wins-164000-decade-long-legal-battle-mother-will-charities">Daughter wins &pound;164,000 after decade-long legal battle over will with charities</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/29/will-testator-may-not-get-way-heather-ilott">Where there’s a will … the person who wrote it may not get their way | Jay Watts</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/shortcuts/2015/jul/28/animal-charities-relatives-bequests-will-daughter-mother">Battle of the bequests: animal charities v disinherited relatives</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/jul/31/disinheritance-and-the-law">Continue reading...</a>Family financesInheritance taxMoneyLawHomesLife and styleDivorceChildrenSocietyHouse pricesPropertyTaxFri, 31 Jul 2015 14:25:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/jul/31/disinheritance-and-the-lawPhotograph: Mark Larner/Central NewsHeather Ilott, who was disinherited by her estranged mother, was this week awarded £164,000 from her late mother’s estate by the court of appeal.Leo Benedictus2015-07-31T14:25:03ZMagistrates resign over court charges that encourage innocent to plead guiltyhttp://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/jul/31/magistrates-resign-court-charges-encourage-innocent-plead-guilty
<p>Criminal court charge was meant to ensure offenders pay towards justice system, but majority of offenders will never be able to pay, say magistrates</p><p>Magistrates have begun to resign in protest at punitive court charges of up to &pound;1,200 that they claim can never be collected and encourage the innocent to plead guilty.</p><p>The criminal court charge came into effect in April as a means of ensuring that convicted adult offenders pay towards the cost of running the criminal justice system.<br /></p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/mar/27/court-fees-convicted-criminals-criticised-magistrates-association">Court fees for convicted criminals not thought through, say magistrates</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/jul/31/magistrates-resign-court-charges-encourage-innocent-plead-guilty">Continue reading...</a>UK criminal justiceLawChris GraylingPoliticsUK newsFri, 31 Jul 2015 13:36:17 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/jul/31/magistrates-resign-court-charges-encourage-innocent-plead-guiltyPhotograph: Anthony Devlin/PAThe charge was introduced in April by the last justice secretary, Chris Grayling. There were warnings at the time that the money could prove to be uncollectable.Owen Bowcott Legal affairs correspondent2015-07-31T13:36:17ZTheresa May to review decision not to give Ai Weiwei business visahttp://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/jul/30/uk-denies-ai-weiwei-full-business-visa-based-on-disputed-criminal-history
<p>UK embassy officials say celebrated Chinese artist failed to declare his record on application – but supporters say he was never actually charged with a crime<br></p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/jul/22/ai-weiwei-free-to-travel-overseas-again-after-china-returns-his-passport">Ai Weiwei free to travel overseas again after China returns his passport</a> </p><p>The British home secretary, Theresa May, is reviewing the decision to refuse dissident Chinese artist Ai Weiwei a six-month business visa, after he accused British authorities of turning their backs on defenders of human rights.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AiWeiwei?src=hash">#AiWeiwei</a>'s UK visa restriction based on trumped-up criminal charges is purely a kowtow to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/XiJinping?src=hash">#XiJinping</a>'s London visit. OUTRAGEOUS!</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/jul/30/uk-denies-ai-weiwei-full-business-visa-based-on-disputed-criminal-history">Continue reading...</a>Ai WeiweiForeign policyHuman rightsChinaProtestWorld newsAsia PacificArt and designLawCultureFri, 31 Jul 2015 09:44:33 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/jul/30/uk-denies-ai-weiwei-full-business-visa-based-on-disputed-criminal-historyPhotograph: Ai Weiwei/EPAAi Weiwei with his recently returned passport.Photograph: Ai Weiwei/EPAAi Weiwei with his recently returned passport.Tom Phillips in Beijing2015-07-31T09:44:33ZNorth Korea: Canadian pastor admitted 'subversive plots' in public interrogationhttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/31/north-korea-canadian-pastor-admitted-subversive-plots-in-public-interrogation
<p>In similar staged ‘public confession’ cases prisoners are effectively forced to read their ‘guilt’ from a prepared text</p><p>North Korea says a Canadian pastor detained since January had admitted to planning “subversive plots” but his supporters said he was only doing humanitarian work. </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/05/canadian-pastor-missing-north-korea">Canadian pastor who went missing being held by North Korean officials</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/jul/06/north-korea-public-executions">North Korea has carried out 1,400 public executions since 2000, report claims</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/31/north-korea-canadian-pastor-admitted-subversive-plots-in-public-interrogation">Continue reading...</a>North KoreaCanadaAsia PacificHuman rightsAmericasWorld newsLawFri, 31 Jul 2015 00:59:36 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/31/north-korea-canadian-pastor-admitted-subversive-plots-in-public-interrogationPhotograph: ReutersCanadian pastor Hyeon Soo Lim at an agricultural project in North Korea. North Korea says he has admitted to planning ‘subversive plots’.Staff and agencies2015-07-31T00:59:36ZThe Guardian view on cuts to the justice budget: eroding the rule of law | Editorialhttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/30/the-guardian-view-on-cuts-to-the-justice-budget-eroding-the-rule-of-law
Reductions in legal aid and increased court fees are limiting access to justice in England and Wales. That is damaging for everyone<p>The Ministry of Justice was trumpeting <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/jul/30/more-than-half-judges-under-40-women-judicial-diversity" title="">a minute improvement</a> in gender diversity among judges today. True, any erosion of the white male dominance of the judiciary in Engand and Wales is progress, but only in the way that a glacier’s movement down a mountain is progress. In the courts, the percentage of women on the bench has grown from 24.5% to 25.2%; in tribunals it has risen from 43% to 43.8%. Elsewhere in diversity news, there was actually a slight fall in black and minority ethnic recruitment to the bench, where it is at a mere 7%. Without a transformation in the government’s attitude to the cost of justice, that is likely to be a&nbsp;portent.</p><p>In order to have a truly diverse pool of able lawyers to promote to tribunals and the senior courts, there needs to be diversity among the legal practices from which they are drawn. But one small perversity among the many even more iniquitous effects of the huge cuts in legal aid over the past five years, now projected <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jun/04/george-osborne-45bn-savings-plan-whats-being-cut-department-guide" title="">to continue for another five</a>, is that a whole tier of lawyers without any access to private means, who depend on getting a foothold in the profession by cutting their teeth on legally aided work, can no longer find the work to do. In a few years, when the Ministry of Justice comes looking for potential judges, they will no longer be there. The future of law threatens to be a place where criminal cases are conducted by a few chains of high-street lawyers on a volume basis at very low cost, while almost all civil work will have to be privately funded. It looks as if the law as a profession will revert to being the career of choice for the comfortable middle classes.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/30/the-guardian-view-on-cuts-to-the-justice-budget-eroding-the-rule-of-law">Continue reading...</a>JudiciaryLawGenderWorld newsUK criminal justiceUK newsLegal aidMichael GovePoliticsThu, 30 Jul 2015 18:58:14 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/30/the-guardian-view-on-cuts-to-the-justice-budget-eroding-the-rule-of-lawPhotograph: Stefan Wermuth/ReutersJudges walk from Westminster Abbey to the Houses of Parliament after a service to mark the start of the legal year in October 2013.Editorial2015-07-30T18:58:14ZLegal judgments made against a person’s will | Lettershttp://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/jul/30/legal-judgments-made-against-a-persons-will
<p>Owen Bowcott illustrates the problems of “contested wills” by referring to Jarndyce v Jarndyce in Charles Dickens’ Bleak House (<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jul/28/daughter-wins-164000-decade-long-legal-battle-mother-will-charities" title="">Report</a>, 28 July). In the 19th century the government set up the public trust office to deal with such issues. The public trustee didn’t waste taxpayers’ money, but ensured the estate of a contested will was maintained, and charged a proportionate fee that did not affect the growth of the estate. But unfortunately the public trust office was <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/1999/nov/19/davidhencke" title="">slain at the altar</a> of “free trade” by the New Labour government and once again we are facing cases similar to Jarndyce v Jarndyce.</p><p>The public trustee <a href="https://www.gov.uk/public-trustee-executor-will/appoint-the-public-trustee" title="">still exists</a>, so it is not too late to do a little “insourcing” and bring back the public trust office, which would be a panacea to a problem illustrated by the Melita Jackson and Heather Ilott case. But privatisation is still being threatened in the Ministry of Justice, criminal bailiffs for example (<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/jun/26/concentrix-ministry-justice-bailiff-contract-threatened-tax-credit-claimants" title="">Report</a>, theguardian.com, 26&nbsp;June). Do&nbsp;we have to wait for decades of maladministration, corruption etc before we wake up to the fallacy of this&nbsp;ridiculous&nbsp;project?<br /><strong>Phil Cosgrove</strong> <br /><em>Public and Commercial Services Union </em></p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jul/28/daughter-wins-164000-decade-long-legal-battle-mother-will-charities">Daughter wins &pound;164,000 after decade-long legal battle over will with charities</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/jul/30/legal-judgments-made-against-a-persons-will">Continue reading...</a>LawFamily lawJudiciaryUK newsThu, 30 Jul 2015 18:54:19 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/jul/30/legal-judgments-made-against-a-persons-willPhotograph: Londonstills.com/Alamy‘We all make judgments others would not agree with,’ writes Dr Stephen Weatherhead, ‘but if we have the ability to appraise, recall, consider and communicate those judgments, then our rights are protected in law.’ Above, statue of Justice.Letters2015-07-30T18:54:19ZUniversities and student victims of sexual assault | Lettershttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/30/universities-and-student-victims-of-sexual-assault
<p>The support that students receive from their university when they have experienced violence and sexual assault is a serious matter and a proper subject for journalistic inquiry. Unfortunately, your <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/jul/26/student-rape-sexual-violence-universities-guidelines-nus" title="">report</a> (27 July) cites an example from several years ago to give a picture of our student counselling service that does not tally with the overwhelmingly positive feedback we get from students about the expertise, professionalism and genuine care that our clinical staff provide.</p><p>Sexual violence and its handling on campus is something we take very seriously, as clearly do you. Hence our concern that such accounts, suggesting that the university’s clinical practitioners are failing their institutional duty of pastoral care, may deter exactly those students who most need the expert support and guidance that is available to them from seeking it.<br /><strong>Professor Sally Mapstone</strong><br /><em>Pro-vice chancellor, Education, Oxford University</em></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/30/universities-and-student-victims-of-sexual-assault">Continue reading...</a>RapeStudent healthHigher educationStudentsEducationLawSocietyWomenLife and styleThu, 30 Jul 2015 18:51:46 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/30/universities-and-student-victims-of-sexual-assaultPhotograph: Adrian Sherratt / Alamy/Alamy‘Sexual violence and its handling on campus is something we take very seriously,’ says the vice-chancellor of Oxford University, Sally Mapstone. Above, a counsellor with a patient.Letters2015-07-30T18:51:46ZBritish forces illegally detained Afghan suspect, court of appeal ruleshttp://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/jul/30/british-forces-illegally-detained-afghan-suspect-court-of-appeal-rules
<p>Judges find that UK acted unlawfully in detaining Serdar Mohammed for four months in 2010 before handing him over to Afghan authorities</p><p>An Afghan suspect was detained illegally by British forces for almost four months and denied access to a lawyer, <a href="https://www.judiciary.gov.uk/judgments/mohammed-and-others-v-secretary-of-state-for-defence-rahmatullah-v-mod/">the court of appeal has ruled</a>. Serdar Mohammed, who was captured by UK soldiers in April 2010, was not handed over to the Afghan security services until July that year, despite regulations requiring any transfer to take place within 96 hours. Mohammed, who was eventually released earlier this year to return to his home in Helmand province, claimed that the Afghan authorities tortured him.<br /></p><p>The case highlights the effect of UK forces overseas being subject to the European convention on human rights rather than the Geneva conventions on warfare, a legal position about which the judges – the lord chief justice, Lord Thomas, Lord Justice Lloyd Jones and Lord Justice Beaston – expressed misgivings.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/jul/30/british-forces-illegally-detained-afghan-suspect-court-of-appeal-rules">Continue reading...</a>Human rightsAfghanistanCourt of appealUK newsMilitaryLawSouth and Central AsiaWorld newsThu, 30 Jul 2015 17:17:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/jul/30/british-forces-illegally-detained-afghan-suspect-court-of-appeal-rulesPhotograph: Cpl Rob Knight/PABritish soldiers patrolling in Helmand, Afghanistan, where Serdar Mohammed was captured in 2010Owen Bowcott Legal affairs correspondent2015-07-30T17:17:00ZYes, m’lud, an airline losing your luggage is awful – so is raising the issue in court | Rupert Myershttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/30/airline-losing-luggage-court-justice-peter-smith-british-airways
Mr Justice Peter Smith raised the matter of his own lost luggage 33 times in a British Airways competition case. If all judges did this, some companies would never get a fair hearing<p>Picture the court room. You’re a high court judge sitting on a case worth billions of pounds and you have to step down from hearing the matter because you’ve lost your calm <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/how-judge-who-was-kicked-off-british-airways-competition-case-subjected-airlines-legal-counsel-to-barrage-of-questions-10425070.html" title="">over some misplaced luggage</a>. Not hundreds or thousands of items of misplaced luggage, not diamonds or live tissue for human transplant, but your own luggage, that you and your wife took on a recent city break.</p><p>When Mr Justice Peter Smith sat in the high court on a case involving <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/britishairways" title="">British Airways</a> and demanded to know what had happened to his bags on a recent romantic trip to Florence, he had unusual powers that the rest of us do not possess. Injudiciously, he threatened to use them. Smith even entertained the idea of summoning British Airways’ chief executive to explain the mishap in a competition case heard at vast expense. The judge was finally invited to realise that his remarks left him completely unsuited to hearing the case. We all lose our perspective over our mistreatment by airlines but this incident was one of judicial arrogance and pomposity.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/may/26/computer-says-no-every-time-i-try-to-make-a-claim-with-ba">Computer says ‘no’ every time I try to make a claim with BA</a> </p><p>After his bags were safely returned to him he raised the issue a full 33 times with counsel for the airline</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/30/airline-losing-luggage-court-justice-peter-smith-british-airways">Continue reading...</a>British AirwaysAirline industryTravel & leisureBusinessConsumer affairsMoneyLawFlorenceTravelThu, 30 Jul 2015 17:03:38 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/30/airline-losing-luggage-court-justice-peter-smith-british-airwaysPhotograph: Matt Dunham/AP‘Mr Justice Peter Smith was finally invited to realise that his remarks left him completely unsuited to hearing the case.’Rupert Myers2015-07-30T17:03:38ZJames Woods sues Twitter user for $10m after being called 'cocaine addict'http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jul/30/james-woods-sues-twitter-user-abe-list-after-called-cocaine-addict
<p>The Oscar-nominated actor has filed a defamation lawsuit against ‘Abe List’, who has targeted him with ‘reckless and malicious’ insults</p><p>James Woods is taking legal action against a Twitter user who has sent defamatory tweets to the actor, labelling him a “cocaine addict”.</p><p>According to <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/james-woods-sues-twitter-user-812107">The Hollywood Reporter</a>, The Once Upon a Time in America star has filed a $10m lawsuit against a user known as “Abe List”. Woods’ actions were triggered specifically by AL’s accusation that he is a “cocaine addict”.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/oct/10/james-woods-tweets-barack-obama">James Woods claims Hollywood is against him after anti-Obama tweets</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jul/30/james-woods-sues-twitter-user-abe-list-after-called-cocaine-addict">Continue reading...</a>FilmTwitterInternetLawCultureMediaThu, 30 Jul 2015 15:59:29 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jul/30/james-woods-sues-twitter-user-abe-list-after-called-cocaine-addictPhotograph: PRSee you in court … James Woods is suing a Twitter user for ‘childish name-calling’Photograph: PRSee you in court … James Woods is suing a Twitter user for ‘childish name-calling’Benjamin Lee2015-07-30T15:59:29ZIndian gangs found trafficking women from earthquake-hit Nepalhttp://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/jul/30/indian-gangs-trafficking-women-nepal-earthquake
<p>Police uncover network offering women in devastated areas lucrative jobs before sending them into forced labour and sex work – often in the Gulf</p><p>Police in India say they have uncovered a human trafficking network that has sent hundreds of young women from earthquake-hit areas of Nepal to the Gulf, where they were forced into manual labour and sex work.</p><p>In a series of arrests 10 days ago, police at Delhi’s main airport detained two airline staff and two suspected traffickers. They also took 21 young women into their care, seven from the airport itself – where they were being led onto a flight to Dubai – and the rest from a hotel nearby.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/05/nepal-quake-survivors-face-threat-from-human-traffickers-supplying-sex-trade">Nepal quake survivors face threat from human traffickers supplying sex trade</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/jul/30/indian-gangs-trafficking-women-nepal-earthquake">Continue reading...</a>South and Central AsiaIndiaHuman traffickingLawWorld newsNepal earthquake 2015Natural disasters and extreme weatherNepalThu, 30 Jul 2015 14:50:57 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/jul/30/indian-gangs-trafficking-women-nepal-earthquakePhotograph: Jonas Gratzer/Getty ImagesAt an office at the Thankot checkpoint in Nepal, staff and police interrogate a young woman thought to be a victim of human trafficking.Jason Burke in Delhi2015-07-30T14:50:57ZLitvinenko inquiry: Russia involved in spy's death, Scotland Yard sayshttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/30/litvinenko-inquiry-russia-involved-spy-death-scotland-yard
<p>Barrister for Metropolitan police breaks force’s silence on poisoning death, calling key suspects ‘common murderers’</p><p>Scotland Yard has contended that the Russian state was involved in the murder of Alexander Litvinenko as the force broke its silence at the inquiry into the spy’s death from poisoning.</p><p>Delivering an excoriating closing speech on the penultimate day of the public inquiry, lawyers representing the Metropolitan police tore into Russia’s record on cooperation with the investigation into Litvinenko’s murder.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/28/litvinenko-judge-criticises-suspect-dmitry-kovtun-charade">Litvinenko judge criticises suspect's 'charade'</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/30/litvinenko-inquiry-russia-involved-spy-death-scotland-yard">Continue reading...</a>Alexander LitvinenkoWorld newsRussiaUK newsEuropeMetropolitan policeLondonPoliceLawThu, 30 Jul 2015 14:12:44 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/30/litvinenko-inquiry-russia-involved-spy-death-scotland-yardPhotograph: Alistair Fuller/APAlexander Litvinenko died of polonium poisoning.Jamie Grierson2015-07-30T14:12:44Z